149 classes across Japan closed on Aug. 31 due to COVID outbreak; number could grow

TOKYO — With the nationwide resurgence of coronavirus infections, there has been a spate of class closures in elementary, junior high and high schools in areas where the fall term has already begun.

In some areas, class closures have reached their highest number since COVID-19’s legal status was downgraded in May this year. Local governments are urging students with fever or fatigue not to go to school.

According to the tally by the Japan Society of School Health, a public interest incorporated foundation, children in 149 classes in elementary, junior high and high schools, kindergartens and day care facilities nationwide had been told to stay home as of Aug. 31.

By prefecture, 31 were in Nagano, followed by 25 in Akita, 12 in Iwate, 12 in Fukushima, 11 in Aomori and 10 in Niigata. There are regional differences as to the end of summer break, and it is believed that many of the reports came from areas where the new term began comparatively early.

According to the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education, most elementary, junior high and high schools in the prefecture began the second term around Aug. 25. The 31 class closures are the most since May 8, when COVID-19 was downgraded to category 5 under the Japanese infectious disease control law, the same level as seasonal flu. The education board sets the bar for class closures at 20% of students absent.

In response to this situation, the prefectural education board is urging schools to ventilate rooms and give strict hand-washing instructions, while encouraging students with symptoms such as fever to recuperate at home. National government policy leaves mask-wearing up to the individual, and an education board official said, “Even though the number of infections is increasing, it is difficult to ask children to wear masks.”

The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health said there had been no class closures at elementary, junior high and high schools in the capital as of Aug. 31. However, many schools began the autumn term on Sept. 1, and the institute says that infections could increase in the future.

An official pointed out the necessity of wearing masks in addition to washing hands and gargling. “Although masks are left to the discretion of the individual, they are effective in preventing infection, and should be worn based on the infection situation. Specifically, if there are any symptoms, we want people to wear a mask to prevent the spread of infection,” she said.

(Japanese original by Hiroyuki Harada, Digital News Group)